2 men accused of 'horrific' rape of disabled child

PORTSMOUTH - Two teenagers - one from Derry, the other from Raymond - have turned themselves in to authorities in connection with what police are calling a "horrific" sexual assault on a disabled child last summer.

Vincent A. Pittore, 18, of 213 Bypass 28 in Derry, was arraigned last Thursday in 10th Circuit Court, Portsmouth district, on two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault, a Class A felony. A judge ordered him held on $100,000 cash bail, pending a probable cause hearing on Friday, according to published reports.

A second teen, Zachary Patterson, 19, of 10 Twins Road, Raymond, turned himself in to police on Friday and is being held on $30,000 cash bail. He will be arraigned Monday in district court on charges of interference with custody, reckless conduct, transportation of alcoholic beverages and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Capt. Mike Schwartz said he could not release much information about the allegations against the two; the affidavit in the case is sealed. But he called it a "horrific" crime.

The victim is younger than 16 and disabled, Schwartz said.

"There was alcohol that's provided, and after the alcohol was introduced, this poor victim is sexually assaulted," he said. "Both of these people charged played a part in committing these serious crime."

According to Schwartz, the assault happened last August and police have been investigating for months. He said his agency worked with the Rockingham County Child Advocacy Center to protect and interview the alleged victim.

He said police appreciate the public's help in finding those responsible. "We've been working for quite a while to try to get them in custody," he said.

Both men turned themselves in on arrest warrants at the police department, police said, and both are being held at Rockingham County Jail.

Anyone with information can call Detective Kristyn Bernier at 427-1500.